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Jesse D. Garrabrant / NBAE via Getty Images
In his season-ending media session, Philadelphia 76ers head coach Doc Rivers touted the team’s plan to address playmaker Ben Simmons’ shooting problems and reiterated his belief that the The team can repair their long-interrupted shot.
Rivers may now also need a plan to mend his relationship with the 25-year-old.
According to Kyle Neubeck of Philly voice, the head coach and the former No. 1 overall pick have a way to go.
“It should be noted that the relationship between Simmons and Doc Rivers has suffered significant damage that some believe is irreparable,” Neubeck wrote on Wednesday, “although the Sixers would tell you they think things can be worked out and the fences can be repaired. “
Neubeck also contradicted the idea that Simmons did not speak with members of the Sixers organization. That doesn’t mean all is well for Philly here.
The team has yet to find a business partner for a possible deal with Simmons, which may be linked to a lack of movement around Damian Lillard and Bradley Beal more than anything else.
ESPN’s Zach Lowe explained why on Wednesday:
“Simmons is the only one of them available, but his availability is very much tied to the other two – and probably more to Lillard than to Beal, although that may vary over time. Several teams, including the Warriors, Spurs and Minnesota Timberwolves – have discussed Simmons with varying degrees of interest, sources said, but one of the reasons the talks haven’t gone far is that the Sixers likely view Simmons as their path to Lillard . “
Nonetheless, an offseason deal involving Simmons remains uncertain at best. There are still a lot of unknowns when it comes to the 6’11 “guard.
While videos from Simmons’ off-season practice hint at an improvement in shooting, it’s hard to trust an off-season streak on its own merits. Similar images seem to hit social media around the same time every summer, as For The Win’s Andrew Joseph noted.
Chris Johnson hoops @ChrisJHoops
Shooting in motion with @ BenSimmons25 & @RajonRondo 💪🏾🔥 #jushoop pic.twitter.com/DCydhEDDnW
What is clear is that after a season with Rivers at the helm, the two are struggling to work together. Philly brought in the 59-year-old coach after his unceremonious departure from the Los Angeles Clippers because the club believed he was the missing piece of the title contender.
It seems their problem, however, remains the playmaker position. During his year-end media session, Rivers said Simmons still has all the tools to lead the team, even if the two aren’t. not in the best possible terms.
“I’m positive at Ben,” Rivers noted. “I’m still very optimistic about Ben. But there is work. There is work. There is. And Ben will be willing to do it. Sometimes you have to go through stuff to see it and be honest with it. that.
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